German Unification

Comments (0)

Transcript of German Unification

German Unification Congress of Vienna At it again 39 seperate states with common language and culture Germans in Prussia looked to revolt Should we be a republic or constiutional monarchy? Prussian KingPromised reforms and constitutionHE LIEDBanned publications and organizations that supported democracy Was a conservative politician Bismark's Philosophy

Supported the king of PrussiaThought Prussia's destiny to lead the unificationPractical ideals about government Bismark's First War

Disagreement on border states with Denmark1864- formed alliance with AustriaBrief fight, Denmark gave up land WAR WITH AUSTRIA INEVITABLE Frederick Wilhelm IV Economic Alliance Zollverein (Customs Union) Remove tariffs and taxes on trade between German statesEncouraged railroadsHelped Culture grow Otto von Bismark Leading force behind German Unification 1862 - was named Prime Minister of Prussia HOORAY! Realpolitik

German unification will be won with "Blood and Iron"

Parliament refused to allow funds for bigger military, he dismissed them

Created a great war machine - that could be used to unite Germany Bismark's Philosophy

Supported the Prussian KingIt was Prussia's Destiny to lead UnificationHad Practical Ideals about Government Austr-Prussian WarWar unfolded just as king, Bismarck plannedHighly-skilled, well-equipped Prussian army defeated Austrians in only seven weeksTreaty ending Austro-Prussian War dissolved German Confederation, forced Austria to surrender Holstein Several other northern states united with PrussiaOnly three southern states remained outside Prussian controlBismarck, Wilhelm used victory to rally other German states around Prussia; war first step toward German unification Unified GermanyDespite Austro-Prussian War victory, it would take another war to create unified GermanySouthern German states still not included in North German Confederation

Nationalism in South1870, conflict brewing with France over disputed Alsace, Lorraine territoryProvinces had been part of Holy Roman Empire, which included PrussiaIssue sparked nationalistic feelings in south German states Peace TreatyVictory established unified German empireRepresentatives of allied German states met at Versailles, near ParisProclaimed Wilhelm I first kaiser—emperor—of German EmpireWilhelm appointed Bismarck first chancellorGerman victory changed balance of power in EuropeNapoleon III gone; France no longer as powerfulAs Germany grew economically, new empire rose in power